Big Drum Dance of Jino Ethnic Minority in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna

The Jino Big Drum Dance, known in the Jino language as "Si Tu Guo" ("Si Tu" means big drum, "Guo" means to dance), is a unique traditional dance of the Jino ethnic group in Jino Mountain Jino Ethnic Township (基诺山基诺族乡), Jinghong City (景洪市), Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). The dance originates from the Jino creation myth, in which the ancestral goddess Amo Yao Bai is said to have used a big drum to save her people. Thus, the Jino people regard the big drum as a sacred object and refer to themselves as "the people who walked out of the drum".

In 2006, the Jino Big Drum Dance was inscribed on the national intangible cultural heritage list. However, due to the scarcity of inheritors, currently only three elderly people over 70 years old can fully master the ritual process, making its protection and inheritance an urgent task.

Cultural Connotations

Myth and Belief

The Jino people consider the big drum to be the symbol of the creation goddess Amo Yao Bai. The Jino Big Drum Dance is performed to express gratitude for the divine protection. The big drum is not only a musical instrument but also a ceremonial object, a significant item, and a sacred object. It is usually hung on the totem pole in the house of the village elder (Zhuo Ba), and its making process must follow strict rituals.

Festivals and Rituals

The Jino Big Drum Dance is mainly performed on the following occasions:

• Te Mu Ke Festival (Iron Beating Festival): Held three days after the beginning of spring, it is the most important festival of the Jino people, symbolizing the transition from the Stone Age to the Iron Age of agricultural farming.
• Family God "Tie Luo Mo Mo" Worship: Conducted in March when the hundred flowers are in full bloom, it is a ritual to pray for peace and good fortune.
• Village Elder's House Building Ceremony: When a new house is completed, a drum sacrifice and Jino Big Drum Dance are performed to pray for blessings.

Dance and Music

• Ritual Process: Before the dance, a piglet and a chicken are slaughtered for sacrifice. Seven elders recite scriptures to pray for blessings. Then, the drummer dances while beating the drum, accompanied by gongs, cymbals, and singing.
• Dance Movements: The movements include "worshipping the spirits," "joyful dance," and "New Year's tune," mainly featuring bending the knees, raising the hands, and turning the body.
• Lyrics "Wu You Ke": The lyrics cover the history, morality, and traditional customs of the Jino people.

Artistic Features

Symbolism of the Sun Drum

The Jino big drum is about 1 meter long, with radiating wooden sticks embedded at both ends, resembling the rays of the sun, hence the name "Sun Drum." The Sun Drum has become a cultural symbol of the Jino ethnic group. It was used as the mascot of the Jino ethnic group in the Third China Art Festival and made an appearance at the opening ceremony of the National Traditional Sports Games of Ethnic Minorities.

Evolution of Performance Forms

Traditionally, the Jino Big Drum Dance was only performed during sacrificial and festive occasions, and women were not allowed to participate. In modern times, to promote national culture, the dance has moved to the stage and been integrated into tourism performances. Some villages have set up special performance teams.

Inheritance and Protection

Endangered Status

Currently, only three elderly people over 70 years old can fully master the ritual process and dance movements of the Jino Big Drum Dance, posing a severe challenge to its inheritance.

Protection Measures

• Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance: After being listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006, a training center was established in Jino Township to cultivate young dancers.
• Cultural Promotion: The Jino Big Drum Dance has become a performance item in festivals and tourism, and has won awards in events such as the CCTV Dance Competition.
• Dual Protection: Some villages have two drums - one for performance and the other as a sacred object used only for sacrificial purposes.

The Jino Big Drum Dance is not only an ancient art form but also a living inheritance of the history and beliefs of the Jino people. With the advancement of intangible cultural heritage protection, this cultural form "walking out of the drum" is moving towards the world in new ways, becoming the most representative cultural calling card of the Jino ethnic group.
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